While clearing out his Grandpa’s attic, my husband came across boxes of old pictures, yearbooks, trophies etc. Basically, a 1980’s time capsule. One item I found particularly telling. This is a birthday card I gave him, probably when he turned 17 or 18 (which would put me at the same age).

Okay…fine so far. Then you open it.

No truer words have ever been spoken. Yay me for knowing who I am at 17

Lemme just say, I love Paint Shop Pro.  A few months ago I realized I hated the photos on my blog. They were blah. I’ve said numerous times I don’t/can’t scrapbook. I blog. Anyway…I went on ebay and purchased for about $18 with shipping an older version of Paint Shop Pro. I have version 9. Did I mention I luuuurve it?  I know Photoshop may be the work horse of amateur photo editing, but it’s too confusing for me. It must involve math.

Last week I posted a tribute to my Grandfather. To complete it, I broke in to my parents home while they were on vacation and stole a picture of said Grandfather. Though lovingly framed, the thing was in pretty bad shape. 60+ years can do that to a photograph. It was badly creased, washed out and covered in old tape glue.

Here’s what I started with:

Here’s the finished product.

Ta da! I live to impress/amuse myself

P.S. Er…um…you don’t want to know how much time I wasted spent doing this. Heh heh.

I found him like this. He watched for 20 minutes. There you go.

Um…I got an email from Harrison Ford today.

Um…he’s demonstrating the devastation of deforestation by having a swatch of his chest hair removed. 

On Idol…

Let me just get this out. The boxing theme was horrifying and ridiculous. I’m surprised Cook agreed to it. I imagine he had no choice.

Though it pains me to say it, I really think Archuletta is going to win based on tonight. I don’t know. DC seemed gassed somehow. I don’t understand why he didn’t sing Hello or Billie Jean either. The thing is, if you win, if you are a “pop” star, you will spend the rest of your career singing songs that your fans love…over and over again. That’s how you sell tickets/records (er…albums…discs…downloads…what do we call them now?). You think Madonna likes singing Like a Virgin eleventy thousand times? Oh…sorry…didn’t mean to get ranty.

So, again, though I like Cook better, I predict Archuletta will win. I am worried about that boy. He really seems like a deer in the headlights. He’s at the edge of a major machine that’s about to chew him up and spit him out. If the tabloids can be believed, he’s got a Lohan-esque dad to boot.

And there you go.  (So You Think You Can Dance starts in TWO days!!!!)

   Life is hard. Blogging is…hard. Lately. I’ll get back in the swing Befrazzledites, I promise. My husband came home the other day w/ boxes of our 80’s memorabilia from his Grandpa’s attic. Major blog fodder.

For today however, I’ve scribbled down some notes from the Idol semi-finals. I must say, overall, this season, though better than last, is still a bit lackluster.  The bloom is most definitely off the Idol rose. But, here we go. 3 down. 1 week to go.

David A singing “And So it Goes.” David brought his A game. He’s in it to win it on this song. That said, I find myself scared for him. He’s got that deer-in-headlights look and I can’t help but thinking this boy’s about to get chewed up by Hollywood a la Britney Spears.  I don’t need to see pictures of Archuletta’s nether regions the next time he exits a limo, is all I’m saying.  Next, he sang “With You.” Yeah, I’m with the judges on this one. He’s lacking confidence and unbelievable. Finally, he sang “Longer.” Ok, this was the producer’s choice. Are they trying to make me puke? I came close.

Syesha singing “If I Ain’t Got You.” Sorry hon, kinda boring for me. On “Fever”…ugh…to “showy” for me. Also, what’s with the dark lighting? Finally, on “Hit Me Up”, the most enjoyable thing for me was the back up singers. Show more of them!

David Cook - “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.” I totally get this song choice by Simon. It was very much like “Hello” (which I still can’t get outta my head). Lovin’ DC. On “Dare You to Move” (meanwhile, I always thought the words were “dare you to run”…anyway). He was a bit under the note the whole way through on this one. No matter. On “Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” the producers have continued their streak of picking horrible songs for these kids. That said, our boy wrung his lungs out on this one.

My prediction for who’s going to the finals? Well, it’s not a prediction so much as a mandate. It’d better be David Cook and I don’t care who else. Please Idol gods, don’t Daughtry him!

I know, I know. I haven’t posted for a whole week. I’ve been in CrazyTown grading papers. OMG, I just submitted my final grades to Eastern. Winter 2008 is officially over. Whew.

Allrighty…Neil Diamond week. Yippee! Michael’s gone, Carly’s gone. If David Cook does a Daughtry-esque departure, I may not watch the rest of the season (who am I kidding, I’ll still watch, I’ll just be very cranky).

Jason Castro - Forever in Blue Jeans. He’s ah’ ight (as Randy would say). I’m a little sleepy watching him though. I think I’ll fast forward to the judge’s comments. Is that allowed? I say it is. What the? Ok, they’re going to make me wait until after Jason’s second song to get snarky. Fine. Er…Paula is totally confused. I think there’s a fork sticking out of Jason this week.

David Cook - I’m Alive and All I Really Need is You. Oooh, I’m excited by his video. I can’t wait. Ok, he’s making Neil Diamond sound totally current. I’d download this tomorrow. I would like him to shave though. I don’t like the beardy-beard.  I think he was great. He’s in a different league than everyone else (which, if history repeats…he’ll be going home next week or the week after).

***Short Attention Span Alert**** Did you see the promo for So You Think You Can Dance? I LOVE that show. Better than DWTS in my opinion.

Brooke White - Ok, Brooke, keep it together. Don’t let the nerves get ya tonight. Sorry, I’m not believin’ her on I’m a Believer. At least she didn’t start over. That’s progress.  I just can’t figure how we got to the point where Brooke and Syesha are the last chicks standing. Weird. She’s very MUZAK to me, which is the danger of some of these Neil Diamond songs. It’s also why David Cook was so brilliant.

David Archuletta - Coming to America and Sweet Caroline. Of COURSE that’s what he’s singing. Can you pick something schmaltzier? No, you can’t. I’m just so sick of the Up with People vibe on this kid. The Bomb? Really Randy? Really?

Syesha Mercado - Oooh, I like the straight hair. But…she’s gone back to the smug persona that went away last week when she pretended to be someone else. Fast forwarding through Hello Again. Barefeet? Really? What is this w/ the girls this season?

My prediction for bottom 2. This seems like shooting fish in a barrel. Brooke and Jason. I think Brooke will probably go. I didn’t like Syesha much, but somehow, she’s managed to skim under the radar.

Mariah Carey week. Ugh. Peeps, I can’t even do the regular roll call I hate this so much. Caterwalling. All I hear is caterwalling. From everyone. Soooo, I will do what the show could not do for me…a mercy killing.

To me, the only ones that weren’t insufferable were (surprisingly) Kristy Lee and David Cook (sorry, my David…I still hate that song, but that was Da Bomb) . Also…lemme just say, Carly is getting her look together.

I’m literally throwin’ darts at a wall on this one. My prediction for bottom three…Syesha (because Idol, you OWE me dammit!); Brooke (’cuz it’s her turn), and oh…what the hay…Jason Castro.

Dec Out

I Am 40% Texas

I’m as welcome in Texas as a skunk at a lawn party.

In honor of the Texas/Ohio primaries, I thought I’d find out if I’d fit in in the lonestar state. Apparently not. That is…unless Texans like having skunks at lawn parties.

2008 Michigan Team Wrestling RUNNERS UP!!!

Click for Results Summaries
DIVISION 1

Great work guys!

As for me? Not much has changed in 20 years, as it turns out Crikey, my hair is even pretty much the same!

2008 Team Wrestling Quarterfinals
Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek
Feb. 29

Click on Division for Summaries
DIVISION 1 | DIVISION 2 | DIVISION 3 | DIVISION 4

Division 1
Davison 41, Canton 21
Holt 34, Hartland 19  
Temperance Bedford 36, Rockford 32
Lake Orion 38, Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse 26

Once a wrestling cheerleader, always a wrestling cheerleader.

Also, check out the new and “being improved” Bedford Wrestling site. http://bedfordwrestling.com/